For those unfamiliar with Muslimgauze, they are an electronics-based band
that began life pumping out vaguely dancey beat music. Over time, they have
mutated into a sparking monster, capable of power, beauty, subtlety, and conjuring
a sense of you-are-there atmosphere that is absolutely throttling in its realism
and intensity. As for their particular speciality, Muslimgauze exist at the
point where Middle Eastern street music (in dub) and avant-trance electronics
collide. This is not house, dub, techno, jungle, or trip-hop. Muslimgauze
are absolutely self-defining.

Based in Britain, Muslimgauze present themselves as staunchly supportive
of Palestinian Arabs, but remain mysteriously "not there" in the
media. Besides their vaguely defined politics, they are profoundly committed
to altering beats, pulses, and samples in every way possible. In doing so,
they destroy every cheesy image of limp, ethnic/electronic "world beat"
you ever held.

Arab Quarter is a fine place to begin any Muslimgauze collection. This two-CD
set offers everything to love about the band. The first disc features the
band turning in a fine performance filled with percussion, terrific stereo
effects, and trippy, deep Arab grooves. It's a fantastically telling sonic
event to sit in front of this LP with a great pair of speakers. The bonus
CD features 11 minarets, essentially Muslimgauze stripped to their bare bones
- just stark, huge beats ricocheting from every angle in an attempt to destroy
a few themes. A DJ's delight, an apartment neighbor's nightmare.

Black September features a more spare, haunting vision of the band's enchanting,
cinematic head music. This is a lovely disc that's also incredibly, deliciously
fucked up. Muslimgauze have so mastered their unlikely fusion that they are
capable of furiously whip-snapping every sound in their mix, but still having
it sound plush, calculated, icy-hot. An outstanding, exciting record. As a
bonus, they enclose a coupon inviting listeners to send a DAT in exchange
for 60 minutes of exclusive, unreleased material.

For a band so committed to altering its material in every way, an LP devoted
solely to remixes may seem almost redundant. Re-mixes, though it has many
bright spots, often suffers from too heavy a hand that only obscures the blinding,
powerful immediacy of Muslimgauze's music.

Gun Aramaic, a just-released recording from early 1995, presents a more atmospheric
vision of Muslimgauze. Here is a band stepping back from the furious mélange
of tapes and beats to post a recording of found voices, almost-there beats,
and entirely three-dimensional production. There are tracks--"Oil Prophets
(pt 1,2,3)"--that feature trademark Muslimgauze sounds, but for the most
part, this is a lovely record of bells and unmistakable Arab street sounds
confronting tomorrow's technology. Essential.

Occupied Territories is, essentially, a tribute record with brilliant bands
the likes of Zoviet France, Panasonic, and O Yuki Conjugate performing music
inspired by Muslimgauze. While not as absolutely essential to any real understanding
of what Muslimgauze are, it is a fitting testament to their importance, power,
and absolute singular vision.